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As we head into a weekend sure to be filled with face painting and barbecues in celebration of Canada’s 145th birthday, I thought it the perfect time to reflect on why I’m so proud not just to be a Canadian, but a Canadian working in the automotive industry.

The automotive industry, in all its ups and downs over the past decades, is a major ‘driving’ force here in Canada, particularly from an economic standpoint. There are more than half-a-million people employed in the sector across the country, making us the ninth largest vehicle producer in the world. It’s also the biggest contributor to Canada’s manufacturing Gross Domestic Product. It’s estimated the auto industry directly and indirectly employs one out of every seven Canadians.

Many of those Canadians are working on manufacturing the No. 1 selling car in the country. “Made-in-Canada” always has a nice ring to it. The Honda Civic has been the top-selling car in Canada for 14 years running, and while Honda is a Japanese company, the Civic Sedan, Si and Coupe are all manufactured in Alliston, Ont.

In fact, over half of the Hondas sold in Canada in recent years have been manufactured right here at home.

Just as high on the scale of importance for Canada’s automotive industry is action to improve environmental quality. We don’t take our environmental standards lightly.

One of the biggest advancements to date is an agreement on continental emissions standards in North America. It’s taken a long time to align the patchwork of provincial and U.S. state emission standards, but we finally have a new standard, and the targets are aggressive for manufacturers to meet.

By 2016 the entire vehicle fleet will see an increase in fuel efficiency of four per cent per year, achieving an average of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres. That’s the average of every vehicle on the road and it’s better fuel efficiency than the most efficient passenger car just ten years ago. A pretty significant achievement, if you ask me.

I’m proud to tell you that we Canadians are also reducing our gasoline consumption.

According to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, we reduced our gasoline consumption by 1.6 per cent from 2010 to 2011, a decline representing the most significant usage drop the group has seen in its time series.

To give you an idea how much gas I’m talking about, Canadians consumed 38,810,787 m3 in 2010 and 38,208,346 m3 in 2011. That’s due, in part, to more fuel efficient vehicles on the road.

It’s great to see so many British Columbians embracing not only fuel efficiency, but also other environmental technologies in the form of today’s clean energy vehicles.

Since the launch of the Clean Energy Vehicle for BC incentive program at the end of last year, BC’s new car dealers have sold more than 133 clean energy vehicles.

If you haven’t had a chance to experience these vehicles yet, or want more information on the CEV for BC program, come learn first-hand at the Canada Day celebrations in Victoria. We’ll have some vehicles and information at the ready in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

Drive safe and have a very happy Canada Day!

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC.

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Canada remains a big player in global auto sector

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